E NEWS 1ST NOVEMBER 2024
On Sunday evening Horizons performed by the Voces choir was absolutely fantastic. The singing was out of this world. For me it was wonderful to meet world famous Samoan NZ Actor Maiava Nathaniel Lees who was the narrator he was surprised that SAOTT had a Samoan female minister.
How many of you got inundated by knocks on your door trick or treating last night? The last two days I’ve been hosting Rev. Periti and Tiana Fauolo, from the Congregational Christian Church in Palmerston North. They have been serving there for approximately 26 years. We all studied together at Otago University back in the late 1980’s. Hosting Samoan styles in not basic unfortunately you have to push the boat out even when you might have to borrow the boat. Last night we had roast lamb, and veges, raw fish, chop suey, green bananas in coconut cream, Bok choy as our greens and fried corned beef. And that was just for the 3 of us. If I were to visit them it would be exactly the same if not more extravagant given that their congregation would be providing the food, not the minister as that’s the way the Samoan church rolls.
The Belonging the Land workshop on Wednesday was really informative. There were about 20-22 people present. The workshop is led by a video by leaders from 3 different churches/academics including Bishop David Moxham. For me having attended Te Tiriti Workshops for the last 35 years I found it very easy to follow. It was simplified and provided illustrations to consider. I’m looking forward to next Wednesday Part 2.
Thursday morning my supervisor who lives in Christchurch was on a flight to Napier which stopped over in Wellington airport ⁹⁹for 2 hours, so I drove to the airport to meet her for a face to face coffee and morning tea which is a nice change from our monthly Skype meetings.
This Saturday is Central Presbytery’s opportunity to explore and look at the Inclusivity Conversation on the table at the moment. It will be held in Milson in Palmerston North. Here is the invitation to attend: A dialogue on a way forward in a church divided over issues of sexuality, biblical morality and leadership When: 10.00 am – 3.00 pm Saturday 2 November 2024 at Milson Combined Church, 85 Milson Line, Palmerston North. To facilitate this going forward, we are planning to visit each Presbytery and have a day in which we can have discussions with members who would like to engage in this conversation. It should be noted that the conversation is not about debating the issue. It is about looking at different ways we might go forward as a church that is divided on this issue – looking at the pros and cons of different ways to progress. The Presbytery Central conversation planned for November is the first to take place, with plans to hold similar meetings in other regions early next year. Following these regional conversations, we will write a report for Assembly which will simply be a summary of discussions across the Presbyteries and will not contain any recommendations.
At the moment members of our LGBTQI community would like to attend but are double booked for this Saturday. I will be driving up on Saturday. Please note that I will be diverting to a 1st birthday in Palmerston North of my friends first grandchild that I am currently hosting so will be driving home late.
This Sunday the lectionary leads us to consider the question by one of the teachers of the Law “of all the commandments which is the most important?” Jesus responds saying loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and with all your strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than this. I wonder if we really know how to love ourselves? Do you? What does it look like for you? Is it attention to detail physically, doing our daily ablutions, buying nice things for ourselves, keeping fit and healthy or the opposite sitting on the couch playing electronic games and eating lots of junk food. People all have different perception around what it means to love oneself. However, there are many who if asked that question “do you love yourself? How do you love yourself” they would probably not know how to answer that question. Food for thought. Something to consider. Rest well, this weekend and lets hope the sun continues to shine for us. Ka kite ano. Fei
Photo: Maiava Nathaniel Lees
You can read the full E-news here: https://mailchi.mp/72799da97b10/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-10131300?e=[UNIQID]
